Chapter 531: Chapter 356: The Emperor Passes Away

Gu Lan whispered to comfort the Princess, and after a long time, the Princess’s icy body gradually warmed up.

When she saw Su Zhixue standing safely outside the hall, protected by Miaoyan’s people, she guessed everything.

Miaoyan chose to take Su Zhixue’s place and poisoned Rong Jing.

She knew if her mother went to kill Rong Jing, there was no chance of her surviving; only by doing it herself could she truly put an end to it all.

Rong Heng stepped past Gu Lan and Miaoyan and walked towards the gates of Qianyuan Hall.

Miaoyan, in a voice only the three of them could hear, said softly, "I used... Eight Sufferings Poison."

Gu Lan’s eyes quivered. Eight Sufferings Poison was a special kind of poison among those Du Changning had given her.

This poison doesn’t cause immediate death; it can act for nearly an hour, and there’s no antidote.

The poisoned person can clearly feel their life force ebbing away, accompanied by incessant and uncontrollable pain.

This pain is no easier to bear than Heart-devouring Incense.

Rong Heng stepped onto the jade steps, entered Qianyuan Hall, and stood before Rong Jing.

Perhaps because Rong Jing was already gravely injured, the man before him, poisoned for less than half an hour, was on the brink of death.

Rong Jing sensed a dim light, raised his eyelids, and quietly looked at Rong Heng.

"Wu, you’re here."

He raised the corners of his lips, the dried blood at his lips long gone, yet that smile was as beautiful as blooming peach blossoms.

It was noon, with dappled light and shadow reflecting on his bloodless face.

"Today is New Year’s Eve." Rong Heng bent slightly, staring into Rong Jing’s somewhat unfocused eyes, his black eyes cold as stars.

He remembered when he was very small, Rong Jing would stroke his hair and say, "After New Year’s Eve, Wu has grown a year older again."

His eyelids fluttered, those warm scenes like winter ice not yet solidified, riddled with cracks, breaking bit by bit.

From the age of eight until he met Gu Lan, the eight years of disguise and torment had turned all past beauty to ashes.

Rong Heng glanced at the commanders behind him, Gu Lan, Rong Miaoyan, Su Zixiao, Geng Gong, and others, who were all standing beneath the jade steps behind him, waiting for the final outcome.

Some seemed to notice something amiss with Rong Jing, while others hadn’t realized he was already poisoned with Eight Sufferings Poison.

Rong Heng’s sidelong glance swept over Rong Miaoyan, suddenly meeting Gu Lan’s gaze in the void.

Their eyes met, and Gu Lan understood what Rong Heng intended to do. She raised her eyebrows, shrugged her shoulders, indicating her indifference.

Whatever he wants to do, let him do it.

After all, this mess needed someone to clean up, and it certainly wasn’t going to be her.

Rong Heng received Gu Lan’s signal, his gaze softened slightly, and he looked at Rong Jing once more.

The Eight Sufferings Poison had half an hour left before it would completely end his life, but perhaps to Rong Jing, the poison’s pain wasn’t significant.

With a calm demeanor, Rong Heng drew the dagger from his waist.

He was unreserved, the bright silver blade reflecting a blinding light onto his face.

Beneath the jade steps, people noticed Rong Heng drawing the dagger with different expressions, yet no sound was made.

Rong Jing also saw the dagger in his hand; his eyes widened slightly, the corners of his lips still carrying a smile as he lightly said:

"Wu... I return this world to you."

Rong Heng shook his head.

"Thud!"

The dagger pierced into Rong Jing’s heart.

The chest, pierced three days earlier, once again erupted with fresh red blood, splattering onto Rong Heng’s python robe.

"I don’t want it," Rong Heng said slowly, one word at a time.

"Imperial Brother, farewell."

In Rong Jing’s eyes, a weak trace of surprise flashed; his gaze gradually blurred.

Rong Heng slowly disappeared before his eyes.

"Second Imperial Brother."

"I told you, call me the Crown Prince."

"Crown Prince Imperial Brother—"

"Your Highness."

"Your Majesty..."

"Rong Zhongxu, you must keep your promise."

Too many voices echoed in Rong Jing’s ears.

He saw his younger self, stealing pastries from the Imperial Kitchen with Zhang Fengcai, also saw Rong Shuo holding him and Rong Jue to either side, his face dark and somber, finally kicking Rong Jue’s butt and letting him go because he was the Empress’s legitimate son.

The day Rong Shuo died, Rong Jing was truly saddened, for from then on, he had no elder brother.

He remembered childhood Rong Heng smiling ingenuously at him with a missing front tooth; at that time, he also wished to be a good brother, to protect the adorable Wu.

He saw Rong Huan draw his last breath before him, still unwilling, eyes wide open, gazing in the direction of Xiaoxiang Palace.

Now Rong Jing still couldn’t understand; such feelings weren’t what an emperor should have. If he truly pursued a life with just one partner, why establish Su Xinyu as the Empress?

Lastly, he saw the bright almond-shaped eyes of Song Zhi, the young man’s face flushed with anger, accusing him of breaking his promise.

How wonderful if his eyes were intact...

He returned the world to Wu.

But Rong Heng said,

He didn’t want it.

Blood gushed from Rong Jing’s lips; he wanted to say something, but could no longer speak.

Before him was only blinding white light, like the skirt Miaoyan wore today.

Girls were quite good, too.

If it’s Miaoyan... she surely wouldn’t become a second him.

His only regret was failing to make amends with the Xie Family’s tragedy.

Additionally,

Sanliang,

Sorry,

I’ve deceived you again.

But, I am truly tired, so let me, sleep peacefully for once.

Rong Heng withdrew the dagger, not casting Rong Jing another glance, the emperor’s blood dripping from its tip.

All witnessed Prince Xiang kill the Emperor, who never resisted.

Rong Jing looked straight ahead, muttering:

"Mother, you never... call me Zhongxu..."

There exists so much love in this world,

He never knew before,

Now he understood,

Those loves were never his own.

Suddenly, Rong Jing lowered his head, his breath ceased.

The sunlight outside the hall was so bright, gradually casting a glow on Rong Heng’s handsome and unperturbed face.

He sheathed the bloodied dagger, faced the crowd, his gaze vast and expansive: 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"The Emperor has passed away."

...

Miao Ci, wearing a white eunuch’s robe, stood from a high platform.

He did not flee, simply changed his clothes.

Red wasn’t suitable.

Before Miao Ci was a giant bronze bell, intricately engraved with myriad flying beasts, dragon and serpent patterns.

In his ears sounded wails from unknown sources.

He looked towards a red sun on the horizon, a bird suddenly flapped its wings in the distance, vanishing into the rounded sky above the Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty..."

Miao Ci called, tugging open the bell hammer, striking the bronze heavily!

"Dong! Dong! Dong—"

Within the Imperial Palace, the departing bell tolled, reverberating through the entire Capital City.

After nine rings,

Miao Ci released the bell hammer, wiped his tears, leaping down from the platform.

In the first year of Dayan Jiande,

New Year’s Eve,

The Emperor passed away.